feaâ— Assurance and Fear are diversa but not Opposita different but not contrary A Child may have assurance of his Fathers love yet hath a fear of offending him Who more fearful of Sin than St. Paul 1 Cor. 9.27 Yet who had more assurance Galat. 2.20 Who Loved me and Gave himself for me Faith procures assurance fear preserves it Is it a duty to Fear God what strangers then are they to Religion who are void of this Holy Fear The Godly fear and sin not the wicked sin and fear not They are like the Leviathan who is made without Fear Iob 41.33 Want of the fear of God is the innate Cause of all Wickedness Rom. 3.14 Whose mouth is full of Cursing and bitterness their feet are swift to shed blood Whence was this vers 18. There is no fear of God before their eyes Abraham surmized the men of Gerar would stick at no Sin why so Gen. 20.11 I thought surely the fear of God is not in this place The Judge in the Gospel is called an unjust Iudge Luke 18.6 And no wonder for vers 2. he feared not God There must needs be an excess of Sin where there wants the Fear of God to restrain it The water must needs Overflow where there are no banks to keep it out We live in a Godless age durst men Sin at that rate as they do if the fear of God were regent in their hearts durst they swear be unclean use False weights bear false witness hate purity deride Gods signs in the Heaven Forge Plots Persecute Christs body if they had the fear of God before their eyes these men proclaim to the World that they are Atheists they believe not the Immortality of the Soul They are worse than brutish a Beast fears the fire these fear not Hell Fire They are worse than Devils for they believe and tremble Jam. 2.19 Let us bewail the want of the Fear of God Terras Astraea reliquit Whence is it so few fear God 1. Because they have not the knowledge of God Prov. 1.24 They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord did men know God in his immense glory they would be swallowed up with divine amazement When the Prophet Isaiah had a glimpse of Gods Glory he was stricken with holy consternation Isaiah 6.5 Wo is me I am undone for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts But the Ignorance of God banisheth fear 2. Men fear not God because they presume of his Mercy God is merciful and they doubt not of the Vertue of this soveraign Balm But who is Gods mercy for Luke 1.50 His mercy is on them that fear him Such as fear not Gods Justice shall not tast his Mercy Let this be for a Lamentation that the fear of God is so vanished Where almost is it to be found Some fear shame others fear danger but where is he who fears a Deity Diogenes came into a full Market with a Candle and Lanthorn they asked him what he sought saith he Hominem quaero I seek a man that is a wise man So in the Crowd of people we may go and seek a man fearing God And not only among the Commonalty but even among Professors how sew fear God in truth Profession is often made a Mantle to cover sin Absalom palliated his Treason with a Religious Vow 2 Sam. 15.7 The Pharisees made long Prayer a preface to Oppression Mat. 23.14 This is sordid to carry on wicked designs sublarva Pictatis under a pretext of Piety The Snow covers many a dung-hill A snovvy vvhite Profession covers many a foul heart The sins of Professors are more odious Thistles are bad in a Field but vvorse in a Garden The sins of the vvicked anger God but the sins of Professors Grieve him It reproves Iovial Sinners vvho are so far from fearing God that they spend their time in mirth and vvantonness Luke 17.27 They did eat they drank they married till the flood came and destroyed them all There is a place in Affrica called Tombutium where the Inhabitants spend all the day in piping and dancing What sensual effeminate lives do the Gallants of our age live They spend their Life in a Frolick As if God had made them to be like the Leviathan who plays in the Sea Job 21.13 They take the Timbrel and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ They ride to Hell upon the back of Pleasure and go merrily to damnation Though the Times are sad they have no fear in regard of the publique Doth not God call us to trembling our sins are the fiery Comets that presage evil May not we fear the Glory is departing may not we fear the death of Religion before the birth of Reformation May not we fear some portentous calamity should bring up the rear of former Judgments and as the Prophet Ezekiel saith Should me then make-mirth Ezek. 21.10 But Jovial spirits have banished the fear of God Amos 6.4 5. That lye upon beds of Ivory and stretch themselves upon their couches that drink wine in Bowls and anoint themselves with the chief Oyntments Sinners whose hearts are hardned with soft pleasures let them have their lusts and farewell Christ and his Gospel Iude 12. Feeding themselves without fear But they Forget death will bring in the reckoning and they must pay the reckoning in Hell The Great Turk when he intends the death of any of his Bashaws invites them to a Sumptuous Feast and then causeth them to be taken away from the Table and strangled so Satan Gluts men with sinful pastimes and delights and then strangles them Foolish Gallants are like the Fish that swim pleasantly through the Silver streams of Iordan till at last they fall into the dead Sea It reproves secure Sinners who have no Fear of God Like Laish of old Iudg. 18.27 A people quiet and secure Those who are least safe are most confident Security casts men into a deep Sleep Birds that build and roost in Steeples being used to the continual ringing of Bells the noise doth not at all disquiet them So Sinners who have been long used to the sound of Aarons Bells though ever and anon they have a peal rung out against their sins yet being used to it they are not startled A secure sinner is Known thus 1. He lives as bad as the worst yet hopes to be saved as well as the best He doth bless himself saying I shall have peace though I walk in the imagination of my heart Deut. 29.19 As if a man should drink Poison yet not doubt but he shall have his health A secure sinner lies in Delilahs lap yet hopes to be in Abrahams bosom 2. A secure sinner thinks all is well because all is in peace He hears others speak of a Spirit of bondage and the terrors they have felt for sin he thanks God he never Knew what Trouble of spirit meant he thinks his
is full of fallacies he who Fears God fears his Heart lest it should rob him of the blessing That saying of Epicharmus is Good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remember not to trust 3. The Fear of God will make a man Fear death Death may challenge a part in our Fear 1. Because it is such a serious thing it is the in-let to eternity and puts us into an unalterable estate 2. Because of it's Proximity it is nearer to us than we are aware it may be within a few hours march of us God may this night seal a Lease of Ejectment and say Give an account of your stewardship and what if death should come before we are ready 3. Because after death there is nothing to be done for our Souls there is no repenting in the Grave Eccles. 9.10 There is no work nor device in the Grave whither thou goest So that death is to be feared with an holy and Religious Fear How far may a child of God Fear death 1. So far as the Fear of Death is a Curben-bit to keep him from Sin A believer may lawfully make use of all means to deter him from sin No stronger antidote against sin saith Austin than the Fear of Death Am I sinning and to morrow may be dying 2. A Child of God may so far Fear death as it makes him dye to the World The Fear of death would sound a retreat and call us off from Vanity What is the world we must leave it shortly and all we can purchase is a burying-place 3. A Child of God may so far Fear death as this Fear fits him more for death Jacob feared his brother Esau's coming against him and he prepared to meet him he addressed himself to Prayer Gen. 32.7 24. So when we Fear deaths coming and we prepare to meet it we set our Soul in order This is a Good Fear of death But this Fear of death in the Godly must be mixed with hope The nature of death to a Believer is quite changed death is in it self a curse but God hath turned this Curse into a Blessing To a Child of God death is not a destruction but a deliverance When the Mantle of his flesh drops off he ascends in a fiery chariot to Heaven 4. The Fear of God will make a man fear Iudgment Anselm spent most of his thoughts upon the day of Judgement and Hierom thought he alwaies heard that Voice sounding in his ears Surgite mortui Arise ye dead and come to Judgment That there shall be such a day is evident 1. From Gods Veracity He who is the Oracle of truth hath asserted it Psalm 96.13 For he cometh for he cometh to Judge the earth There is a duplication 1. To shew the Certainty he cometh he cometh it is an indubitable Maxim 2. To shew the Celerity he cometh he cometh the time draws near it is almost day-break and the Judge is ready to take the bench Jam. 5.9 Gods decree cannot be reversed 2. There shall be such a day for the Vindication of Gods Justice Things seem to be carried in the World Partially the Godly suffer the Wicked Prosper Atheists are ready to think God hath cast off the Government of the World and minds not how things are transacted here below therefore there must be a judicial Process that God may undeceive the World and set things right 3. That there shall be such a day is evident by the Principles ingrafted in a natural conscience When Paul reasoned of Judgment to come Felix trembled Acts 24.25 The Prisoner at bar made the Judge tremble That a Wicked man dying is so surprized with terrors whence is this but from a secret apprehension of Judgment ensuing It will be a great Assizes never was the like seen 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the Iudgment Seat There is no flying no absconding no bribing no appearing by a Proxy but all must make their Personal appearance They who were above Trial here and the Law could not reach them must appear before the Tribunal of Heaven Who shall be Judge Jesus Christ Iohn 5.22 Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world by that man whom he hath ordained In that Christ is called a Man hence the Socinians blasphemously deny the essential Deity of Christ. That he is God is most clearly evinced from Isaiah 9.6 Ioh. 1.1 1 Cor. 8.6 1 Ioh. 5.20 We are in him that is True even in his Son Iesus Christ this is the true God Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Consubstantiate with God the Father Heb. 1.3 But Christ the Judge is called Man because he shall Judge the world in a Visible Shape He must be both God and Man he must be God that he may see mens Hearts and he must be man that he himself may be seen What a solemn day will this be when Christ shall sit upon the Bench of Judicature he will judge righteously Psalm 9.8 Though he himself was wronged he will do no wrong And he will judge Critically Mat. 3.12 Whose fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his floor He will see what is Wheat what is Chaff who have his Image upon him and who the mark of the beast Sure the Fear of God will cause an holy trembling at the thoughts of this day In what sence should those that Fear God Fear the day of Judgment Not with a Fear of amazement or despondency for the day of Judgment will be a Iubile a blessed comfortable day to them The Thrush sings at the approach of Rain so may Believers at the approach of Judgment Christ who is their Iudge is their Advocate But 1. The Godly should so fear Judgement as every day to renew their Sorrow for Sin They have sins quotidiani incursus that creep upon them daily and they must with Peter weep bitterly they must steep their Souls in the brinish Tears of Repentance It would be sad to be found at the last day in any sin unrepented of 2. The Godly should so Fear the day of Judgment as it makes them afraid of Sins of Omission The not dressing a wound brings death the not discharging duty may bring dâ—mnation You may read the solemn Process at the last day Mat. 25.42 I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat naked and ye cloathed me not sick and in Prison and ye Visited me not The charge here brought in is for sins of Omission Christ doth not say Ye took away my meat from me but Ye gave me no meat He saith not Ye put me in prison but Ye visited me not The sins of Omission condemned them Not praying in the family not sanctfying the Sabbath not giving Almes will be the fatal Inditement 3. The Godly should so far Fear the day of Judgment as it makes them afraid of dissembling in Religion For at that day false hearts will be unmasked Why did Paul walk
goes there this mortal shall put on Immortality Let us labour to be in the number of Gods Jewels that when the Lord shall make up his Jewels he may perfect our Souls and Bodies in Glory How shall we know that we are in the number of Gods Jewels Have we inherent Holiness 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are Sanctified We are not Jewels by Creation but Regeneration If Holiness sparkle in us it 's a sign we are Jewels and then when God comes to make up his Jewels he will put Glory upon our Souls and Bodies for ever CHAP. XIX The Third part of the Saints Reward Gods sparing them 3. THE Third part of the Saints reward is Gods Sparing them I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him The Hebrew word to spare signifies to use Clemency In this Phrase is a Meiosis there is less said and more intended I will spare them that is I will deal with them as a Father doth with his Son the same tenderness that a Father shews to his Child the same will I shew to them that Fear me God will deal with them that Fear him as a Father doth with his Son Two things are in this Proposition 1. That God is a Father He is a Father 1. By Creation he hath given us our Being Mal. 2.10 Have not we all one Father hath not one God created us 2. God is a Father by Election he hath culled out a certain number to be his Children Eph. 1.4 3. God is a Father by special Grace he stamps his impress of Holiness upon men Col. 3.10 All Gods Children resemble him though some are more like him than others 2. That God will deal with them that Fear him as a Father doth with his Son 1. God will accept them as a Father doth his Son If the Child doth but lisp and can hardly speak plain the Father takes all well so God as a Father will accept of what his Children do in sincerity Ezek. 20.40 There will I require your Offerings I will accept you with your sweet Savour 2. Such as Fear God he will be full of Bowels to them as a Father is to his Son There are in God 1. Bowels of Compassion 2. Bowels of Complacency 1. Bowels of Compassion A Father Compassionates his Child Sozomen makes mention of a Father who offered to be put to death for his two Sons who were sentenced to dye God hath soundings of Bowels Isa. 63.15 The Compassions of Parents are Steel and Marble compared with Gods Luke 1.78 Through the tender Mercy of our God in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bowels of Mercy these Bowels make God sympathize with his Children in Misery he is touched in their wounds Psal. 103.13 As a Father pitieth his Children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him 2. In God are Bowels of Complacency How dearly did Iacob love Benjamin his life was bound up in him Gen. 44.30 All the Affections of Parents come from God they are but a drop of his Ocean a spark of his flame Gods love is a love that passeth Knowledge Ephes. 3.19 The Saints cannot Love their own Souls so intirely as God loves them In particular 1. God loves the persons of his Children they are the Apple of his Eye Zach. 2.8 He engraves them upon the Palms of his hands Isa. 49.16 It alludes to them who carry about them graven on the Stone of their Ring the Picture of some dear Friend whom they intirely affect 2. God loves the places his Children were born in the better for their sakes Psal. 87.2 God loves the Gates of Sion ver 5. This and that man was born in her i. e. This and that Believer God loves the very ground his Children go upon Why was Iudaea the Ancient seat of Israel called a delightsome Land Mal. 5.12 Not so much delightful for the fruit growing in it as for the Saints living in it 3. God so loves his Children that he chargeth the great ones of the World upon pain of death not to hurt them their persons are sacred Psalm 105.14 He reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed By anointed are meant such as have the anointing of the Spirit 1 John 2.20 4. God delights in his Childrens company he loves to see their faces Cant. 2.24 Let me see thy Countenance If but two or three of Gods Children meet and pray together God will be sure to make one of the company Mat. 18.20 There am I in the midst of them 5. God so loves his Children that his Eye is never off them Psalm 33.18 The Eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him But is this such a priviledge to have Gods Eye upon his Children Gods Eye is upon the Wicked too Answ. It is one kind of Eye that the Judge casts upon the Malefactor and another that the Prince casts upon his Favourite Gods Eye upon the Wicked is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Eye of Revenge but his Eye upon his Children is an Eye of Benediction 6. God sets a continual guard about his Children to preserve them from danger He hides them in his Pavilion Psalm 27.5 He covers them with the Golden Feathers of his Protection Psalm 91.4 God preserved Athanasius strangely he put it into his Mind to depart out of the House he was in the night before the Enemies came to search for him No Prince goes so well guarded as Gods Child for he hath a guard of Angels about him The Angels are a numerous guard 2 Kin. 6.17 The Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire those Horses and Chariots of fire were the Angels of God gathered together in the manner of an huge host to defend the Prophet Elisha 7. God puts his Children in rich apparel Psalm 45.13 Her cloathing is of wrought Gold Jacob loved his Son Joseph and gave him a finer Coat to wear than the rest of his brethren Gen. 37.3 He made him a Coat of divers Colours God loves his Children and gives them a finer Coat more curiously Woven a Coat of divers Colours it is partly made of Christs Righteousness and partly made of inherent Holiness 8. Such is Gods love that he thinks nothing too Good for his Children he enricheth them with the upper and nether Springs he gives them the Kidneys of the Wheat and Hony out of the Rock he makes them a feast of fat things Isa. 25.6 He gives them the body and blood of his Son and delights to see his Children spreading themselves as Olive plants round about his Table 3. Such as are Fearers of God he will receive their Petitions from them as a Father doth from his Son they may come boldly to the throne of Grace Heb. 4.16 If they come for pardon of sin strength against Temptation God will not deny them Three things may cause boldness in prayer the Saints have a Father to pray to
Law-Courts where there are Indictments against such Malefactours sealed up in a Bag and are produced at the assizes When God shall open his black book wherein mens Names are written and his bag wherein their sins are written then their Hearts will tremble and their knees smite one against another Every Lye a sinner tells every Oath he Swears every drunken bout God writes it down in his book of Remembrance and woe to him if the book be not crossed with the Blood of Christ. 3. See the Mercifulness of God to his Children who blots their sins out of his book of Remembrance and writes their good deeds in his book of Remembrance Isa. 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions 't is a Metaphor borrow'd from a Creditor who takes his pen and blots out the debt owing him so saith God I will blot out thy Transgressions Or as the Hebrew carries it I am blotting them out God in forgiving sin passeth an act of Oblivion Jer. 31.34 I will remember your sins no more God will not upbraid his People with their former offences We never read after Peter repented that Christ upbraided him with his denial of him O the Heavenly indulgence and kindness of God to his People he remembers every thing but their sins He writes down their good Thoughts and speeches in a Merciful book of Remembrance but their sins are as if they had never been they are carried into the Land of Oblivion If God records our services then let us record his Mercies let us have our Book of Remembrance A Christian should keep two books alwayes by him one to write his sins in that he may be humble the other to write his Mercies in that he may be thankful David had his book of Remembrance 1 Chron. 16.4 He appointed certain of the Levites to record and thank and praise the Lord God of Israel We should keep a Register-book of Gods Mercies though I think it is hard to get a book big enough to hold them At such a time we were in straits and God supplied us at such a time under sadness of Spirit and God dropped in the Oyl of gladness at such a time near death and God Miraculously restored us If God be mindful of what we do for him shall not we be mindful of what he doth for us Gods mercies like Jewels are too good to be lost get a Book of Remembrance It is Comfort to the Godly 1. In case of friends forgetting them Ioseph did Pharaoh's Butler a kindness yet did not the chief Butler remember Ioseph but forgat him Gen. 40.23 'T is too usual to remember Injuries and forget Friends but God hath a Book of Remembrance where he writes down all his old friends Near Relations may sometimes be forgetful the tender Mother may forget her infant Isa. 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking child yea she may but I will not forget thee a Mother may sooner be unnatural than God forgetful Christ our High-priest hath the Names of the Saints written upon his Breast-plate and all their good deeds written in his Book of Memorials Let this be as Bezar stone to revive the Hearts of Gods people though friends may blot you out of their Mind yet God will not blot you out of his Book 2. This is a consolation to the Godly the Lord keeps a Book of Remembrance for this end that he may at the last day make a publick and solemn mention of all the good which his Saints have done God will open his Book of Records and say as Mat. 25.35 I was an hundred and ye gave me meat thirsty and ye gave me drink c. God will make known all the memorable and pious actions of his People before men and Angels he will say here are they who have prayed and wept for Sin here are they who have been Advocates for my Truth here are they who have laid to Heart my dishonours and have mourned for what they could not reform These are my renowned ones my Hephzibahs in whom my Soul delights What a Glorious thing will this be to have God divulge the Encomium of his Saints when Alexander saw the Sepulcher of Achilles he cryed out O happy Achilles who hadst Homer to set forth thy praise what an honour will it be to have the Names and worthy deeds of the Saints mentioned and God himself to be the Herauld to proclaim their praises CHAP. XVI Shewing the Third Good Effect of the Saints Piety 3. THE third Good effect of the Saints Piety was God rewarded it vers 17. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Iewels The reward is threefold 1. Gods owning them they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts where observe 1. The Person speaking the Lord of Hosts 2. The Reward it self they shall be mine 1. The Person speaking the Lord of Hosts This is too great a word to be passed by in silence God is often in Scripture stiled Dominus exercituum the Lord of Hosts Psalm 46.11 Isa. 1.24 That is he is the Supream General and Commander of all Armies and forces and gives Victory to whom he will Why is this Name The Lord of Hosts given to God Not that God needs any Hosts to protect himself or Suppress his enemies Earthly Princes have Armies to defend their Persons from danger but God needs none to help him he can fight without an army God puts strength into all Armies other Captains may give their Soldiers Armour but they cannot give them Strength but God doth Psalm 18.39 Thou hast Girded me with strength unto battel Why then is God said to have Hosts and Armies if he needs them not 1. It is to set forth his Soveraign Power and Grandure all Armies and Regiments are under his command 2. It is to shew us that though God can effect all things by himself yet in his Wisdom he oft useth the Agency of the Creature to bring to pass his will and purpose What are these Hosts or Armies of which God is the Soveraign Lord 1. God hath an Army in Heaven Angels and Arch-angels 1 King 22.19 I saw the Lord sitting on his Throne and all the Host of Heaven standing by him By the Host of Heaven is meant the Angels they being Spirits are a Puissant Army Psalm 103.20 Ye Angels which excell in Strength We read of one Angel who destroy'd in one Night an hundred fourscore and five thousand 2 King 19.35 If one Angel destroy'd such a vast Army what can a Legion of Angels do a Legion consisted of six thousand six hundred sixty six saith Hesychius how many of these Legions go to make up the Heavenly Host 2 The Stars are Gods Army Deut. 4.19 These were set in Battalia and fought against Gods enemies Iudg. 5.20 The Stars in their courses fought against Sisera That is the Stars did charge like an Army raising
Wormwood we have deserved to drink in a Cup of Wrath doth God cut us short we have deserved he should cut us off Ezek. 47.3 The Waters were to the Ankles Do the Waters of Affliction come up to our Ankles we have deserved to be drowned in these Waters 7. When God afflicts his Children he deals well with them because he keeps them from Sinning in Affliction Iohn 17.15 I pray that thou keep them from the evil 1. The Godly are kept from impatience When the Wicked are under Gods black Rod they either faint or fret Rev. 16.9 Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God but the Godly are silent under the Rod Levit. 10.3 And Aaron held his Peace 't was a sore Tryal both his Sons were consumed with fire but Aaron held his Peace Gods People open their Ear to hear the Voice of the Rod but shut their Mouth they have not one word to say against God 2. The Godly dare not use any indirect means to extricate themselves out of Trouble Wicked men like Malefactors care not how they get loose they will sin themselves out of straits the People of God had rather lye in the Furnace to have their dross purged than come out too soon they will not purchase the liberty of their Persons by insnaring their Consciences Doth not God deal well with his Children in keeping them from sinning in Affliction Affliction cannot do that mischief as sin doth the one is like a rent in the Garment the other is like a rent in the Flesh. Affliction may deprive us of our Estates but Sin deprives us of our God 8. God deals well with his Children in Affliction because though he Correct them he doth not forsake them Indeed Sion said the Lord hath forsaken me Isa. 49.14 But that was under a Temptation Lam. 3.31 The Lord will not cast off for Ever God may alter his Providence not his purpose he may change his dispensation not his disposition Hos. 11.8 How shall I give thee up O Ephraim It alludes to a Father who is about to disinherit his Son but when he is going to set his hand to the deed his bowels begin to Work I am his Father and though he be a Rebellious Son yet he is a Son how shall I disinherit him Such are the Workings of Gods bowels to his Children though he may give them a severe rebuke yet he will not cut off the entail of Mercy 9. God deals well with his Children in Affliction because though their condition be sad yet it is not so bad as others the Lord puts a difference between the Chastisements of the Godly and the Punishments of the Wicked the Godly man hath Pain in his sickness but the Wicked man hath Wrath in his sickness Eccles. 5.17 The Lord shoots a single Arrow at the Godly but a whole shower of Arrows at the Wicked he punisheth them in their Body Estate Conscience A good man hath God to Pity him in his Sorrows Isa. 63.9 But the Wicked have God to laugh at them in their Miseries Prov. 1.26 The Godly have Christ to pray for them in their Afflictions but the Impenitent when in Torment are shut out of Christs prayer Ioh. 17.9 I pray not for the World Gods People are apt to say Never did any suffer as they yes it is worse with the Wicked their Sins and Sufferings meet together 10. God in Affliction deals well with his Children because if he take away one Comfort he leaves more behind God threatned Ierusalem to strip her of all her Jewels and leave her bare Ezek. 16.39 But you who belong to God may Sing of Mercy and Iudgment Psal. 101.1 If God hath fleeced your Estate he hath raised you up Friends If he hath taken away one of your Jewels he hath left you more if he hath pluck'd one dear Relation from you he hath left other sweet Clusters behind and can double your Comfort in them is not all this kindness But this is our Sin we grieve more for one Loss than we are thankful for an Hundred Mercies Jacob was more troubled for the loss of Joseph than he was Comforted with the Lives of all his other Children Gen. 37.35 11. When God Afflicts he deals well with his People because he takes away nothing from them but he gives them that which is better What dammage can it be to a man to lose his Farthings and have Gold given him If God take away Health he gives Holiness If he take away a Child he gives a Christ is not this better God takes away a Flower and gives a Jewel 12. When God Afflicts his Children he deals well with them because he affords them his Divine presence Psalm 91.15 I will be with him in trouble God never Promised us a Charter of Exemption from trouble but he hath Promised to be with us in trouble Better be in a Prison and have Gods presence than on a Throne and want it Gods presence gives courage Act. 23.11 When Polycarp was near the Theatre and going to Suffer a Voice came from Heaven Be of good chear O Polycarp Was not Christ with the Three Children did not he go with them into the fire Dan. 3.25 I see four men in the fire and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God He who is the Second Person in the Trinity made the Fourth Person in the Furnace 13. God in Afflicting deals well with his Children because he gives them that which makes amends for their Afflictions he drops in the Oyl of Gladness he makes them gather Grapes of Thorns John 16.22 Your Sorrow shall be turned into Joy We see a Godly mans Sufferings but we know not what Joy he feels as we hear the roaring of the Sea but we see not the Gold at the bottom Philip Lantgrave of Hesse said that in his trouble he felt the divine Consolations of the Martyrs Here was Hony out of the Lion The Saints have been sometimes so sweetly enlarged that they had rather endure their Afflictions than want their Comforts 2 Cor. 1.5 As the Sufferings of Christ abound in us so our Consolation also aboundeth by Christ Saint Paul had his Prison-Songs Act. 16 25. This Bird of Paradise could sing in Winter God turns the Waters of Marah into Wine He keeps his Cordials for fainting When the Saints taste most of the Wrath of Men they shall feel most of the Love of God thus the Lord candies his Wormwood with Sugar 14. When God Corrects his Children he deals well with them because these Paroxysms or hot trials do not last long Post nubila Phaebus 1 Kin. 11.39 I will Afflict the Seed of David but not for ever God will love for ever but not afflict for ever he will ere long give his people a Writ of ease A Sinners best and a Saints worst are but short Affliction is called a Cup Ezek. 23.32 The Wicked drink a Sea of Wrath the Godly sip only of